Curtain stretcher and drier



May 27, 1952 l.. MINER CURTAIN STRETCHERAND DRIER Filed May 18, 1949 v (ttornegs Patented May 27, 1952 UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE CURTAIN STRETCHER ,AND ,DETER Leonard Miner, Bridgeport, Conn.

Application .Mayj18, 1949.,` serialjNo. 93,983

47 Claims.

This inventionarelates to curtain stretchrs or dryers which have extensible frame members.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved extensible-frame curtain stretcher having ifeWiparts which are of very simple and-economical construction, and vhaving vimproved means providing for positive or non-slip adjustment of the frame members for length to change the size of the frame, such adjustment being easily and quickly effected.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved curtain stretcher as set forth above, which is light in Weight and at the same time strong and sturdy.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide an improved curtain stretcher according to the foregoing, which is simple to operate and to use.

Still another `object of the invention is to provide a curtain stretcher `characterized. asabove, which may be quickly and easily dismantled after use; and which when dismantled requires but little storage space.

In accomplishing the above objects there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a novel rectangular frame structure having extensible top', bottom and side kframe members `each comprising a plurality of elongate parts or bars slidably connected together, the bars being preferably made of sheet metal strips blankedand formed to telescope with each other. The lengths of the frame members, comprising the. four sides of the frame, are determined by sets of elongate spacer strips which are carried respectively yby the members, the strips in each set being arranged in end-to-end abutting relation. The bars constituting each frame-member have stop means for engaging the ends of the set of strips carried by the member, thereby to limit shortening of the member -whereby the compressed size of the frame is determined. The spacer -strips have pins, preferably formed integral therewith, on which a curtain to be stretched and dried may be'impaled.

Thus the size of the frame may be readily predetermined by the number of spacer strips carried by the frame members. By virtue of the abutting engagement of the spacer strips, the adjusted size of the frame is positively held, and the adjustment may be very easily accomplished without the use of tools, by merely adding or removing spacer strips as required.

The bars constituting the frame members may be quickly and economically fabricatedfrom inexpensive sheet metal, and are so formed and shaped as to provide a rigid and sturdy structure when the frame is assembled. Preferably one bar ofl each `frame member is provided at its end with an elbow or lateral extension which constitutes a corner piece, and into which an adjacent bar slidably fits. By this organization relatively few parts are required in the construction of the curtain stretcher, the parts being simple and economical to 'fabricate whereby the overall cost of the stretcher is held to a low fig-ure.

By virtue of the blanked and formed sheet metal construction the entire framework is light in weight-and at the same time strong and sturdy for the purpose required.

The specific telescoping construction, together with the adjustment means comprising the spacer strips, enables the curtain stretcher to be easily and quickly set up, operated, and dismantled. By virtue-of the corner or elbow construction of the bars, the Aframe when dismantled may be 'stored in very little space.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appeal.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of the improvided curtain stretcher of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail Ain section, taken on line A2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail in section, taken on line '3--3 of Fig. 1.

i is a detail, enlarged, of a corner portion of the cur-tain stretcher frame.

Fig. 5 isa plan view vof a spacer strip for the frame, provided with pins on lwhich a curtain may be impalecl.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line --B of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3,' but showing a modication ofthe invention -wherein the pin-carrying strip is disposed Within the tele- `scoping sections of the frame.

Referring to iig.v 1 the present improved'curtain stretcher and dryer comprises a rectangular frame I0 having extensible members II, I2, I3 and I4. The frame II! when set up for use-may be carried on an easel or other suitable support;

vit may be `disposed in an upright position as shown, wherein the frame members I2 and I4 are the sides-of the frame and the members II and I3 the top and-bottom respectively, or the Aframe may be disposed to extend horizontally, wherein the members I2 and I3 are the Vside `mernbers,land the members I4 and I2 the top and bottom members respectively.

Each of the frame lmembers I land I3 is formed of a straight bar I5 which is telescopically received in an elbow bar I6. Each of the members I2 and I4 is formed of a straight bar I1 which is telescopically received in an elbow bar I8. The bars I5 and I1 are similar to each other except for length; likewise, the elbow bars I6 and I8 are similar to each other except for length.

The cross sectional shape of the bars I5 is clearly shown in Fig. 3, each of said bars having a generally flat, main or body portion I9 shaped to have longitudinally extending inner shoulders and curled longitudinal edges 2| which latter constitute anges. The elbow bars I8 have a cross section similar to that of the bars I 6 shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 2, the bars I5 have generally fiat or main body portions 22 formed to provide longitudinally extending inner shoulders 23 and curled longitudinal edges 24 constituting side flanges.

Each of the bars I1 has a cross section similar to that of the bar I5 shown in Fig. 2. In this ligure it may be readily seen that the bars I5 are adapted to iit within, or telescope into the bars I6, and the same is true for the bars I1 and I8, a loose fit being provided whereby the frame members II, I2, I3 and I4 may be readily extended or retracted to respectively increase or decrease their lengths.

As lshown in Figs. 1 and 4 each of the bars I8 -Y is provided at one end with Van integral rightangle extension 25 whereby the en d portion of the bar'constitutes an elbow. The cross-sectional shape of the extension 25 is identical to the cross-sectional shape of the main portion of the bar I8, whereby the said extension may telescopically receive one end of one of the straightA bars I5. The corner portion 26 of the elbow bar I8 is preferably provided with a down- Y turned flange 21 for reinforcement purposes,0

the said flange also functioning as a stop in conjunction with spacer strips, as will be hereinafter brought out. Y

The elbow bars I6 are constructed in a manner similar to the bars I8, having extensions Isa adapted to telescopically receive the straight bars I1.

For the purpose of reinforcing the frame I0 a, cross member 28 is provided, comprising telescoping bars 29 and 30 having spring clips 3| at their remote ends whereby they may be removably clipped over the elbow bars I8 of the frame.

By the above telescoping construction of the frame members and cross member, the frame IIJ may be readily reduced in either widthV or l height, or increased as desired, to fit various sizes and shapes of curtains which are to be stretched and 'dryed'.

In accordance with the present invention novel means are provided for setting the lengths of the frame members II through I4, and thereby adjusting the size of the frame I0, and for enabling a curtain -to be quickly and easily mounted on the frame.

Referring to Figs. 1, 5` and 6 this means comprises a plurality of spacer strips 32, each strip having anrelongate, generally iiat body portion 33 along one edge of which integral pins 34 are struck up so as to project generally at right angles to the body 33. Each spacer strip 32 is preferably provided with a pair of spring clips 35 by which it may be snapped over the bars I5, I6, I1 and I8 of the frame I0.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the corner portions of the elbow bars I6 and I8 are provided with lanced iingers 36 adapted to engage the ends of the spacer strips 2I and function as stops therefor. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, spacer strips 32 may be clipped to the frame members in sets, each set being carried by one member and being coextensive'therewith, the ends of the set engaging the stop ngers 36 whereby shortening of the frame member is prevented. By such organization the compressed size of the frame is determined by the lengths of the individual spacer strips and by the number of strips carried by the members.

WhenA the spacer strips 32 are mounted on the members, the pins 34 project outward from the members whereby a curtain may be readily mounted on the frame by hooking it over the said pins.

A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. '7, wherein spacer strips 31 are provided having a cross sectional shape Vsuch that they may be slidably received in the telescoping bars I5, I6, I1 and I8 of the frame I0. The spacer strips 31 have laterally projecting integral pins 38 over which a curtain may be hooked. It will be understood that sets of spacer strips 31 may be carried within each of the frame members II, I2, I3 and I4 to be coextensive therewith, the ends of theA sets in this instanceengaging the downturned flanges of the corner portions of the elbow bars, such Yas the flange 21 shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 1, a split collar 39 having a hand screw, may be disposed on the cross-brace member 33 for the purpose of limiting shortening of the same, whereby adequate bracing of the frame members I2 and I4 is provided for.

By the above construction AI have provided?. strong and durable and yet light-weight curtain stretcher frame which may be quickly and economically fabricated of inexpensive Vsheet metal, which has relatively few parts of simple and economical construction, and which may be very easily set upfor use, or dismantled and stored in relatively small space. In conjunction with the frame I9, I have provided novel means for positively maintaining the frame in different adjusted sizes, said means being simple and inexpensive and easily operated by the ordinary lay person.

Variations and modications may be made within the scope of this invention and portionsI of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

l. In a curtain stretcher frame having eXtensible top, bottom and side members each comprising a plurality of bars slidably connected with each other, the improvement which com-prises: sets of elongate spacer strips carried respectively by the frame members, said strips in each set being in end-to-end abutting relation; means on said bars of each frame member for engaging the ends of the set carried by the member to limit shortening of said member whereby the compressed size of the frame is controlled by the lengths of the sets; and means including pins carried by said strips, on which a curtain to be stretched may be impaled.

2. In a curtain stretcher frame having extensible top, bottom and lside members each comprising a plurality of recessed, open-sided bars telescopically fitting each other, the improvement which comprises: sets of elongate spacer strips coextensive with and carried respectively within the frame members, said strips in each set being arranged in end-to-end abutting relation; means on said bars of each frame member for engaging the ends of the set carried by the member to limit shortening of said member whereby the compressed size of the frame is controlled by the lengths "of the sets; and means including pins carried by said strips, on which a curtain to be stretched may be impaled.

3. In a curtain stretcher frame having extensible top, bottom and side members each comprising a plurality of bars slidably connected with each other and having corner elbows secured to said bars, the improvement which comprises: sets of elongate spacer strips carried respectively by the frame members, said strips in each set being in end-to-end abutting relation; means on said corner elbows for engaging the ends of the sets carried by the members to limit shortening of said members whereby the compressed size of the frame is controlled by the lengths of the sets; and means including pins carried by said strips, on which a curtain to be stretched may be impaled.

4. In a curtain stretcher frame having extensible top, bottom and side members each comprising a plurality of sheet-metal bars slidably connected with each other, the improvement which comprises: the bars having stamped generally at corner elbows integral therewith, sets of elongate spacer strips carried respectively by the frame members, said strips in each set being in end-to-end abutting relation; flanges on said corner elbows, for engaging the ends of the sets carried by the members to limit shortening of said members whereby the compressed size of the frame is controlled by the lengths of the sets; and means including pins carried by said strips, on which a curtain to be stretched may be impaled.

5. In a curtain stretcher frame having extensible top, bottom and side members each comprising a plurality of sheet-metal strips having opposite anges on their longitudinal edges. said strips sliding on and intertting with each other, the improvement which comprises: the strips having stamped, generally flat corner elbows integral therewith; sets of elongate spacer strips carried respectively by the frame members, said spacer strips in each set being in end-to-end abutting relation; flanges on said corner elbows, for engaging the ends of the sets carried by the 6 members to limit shortening of said members whereby the compressed size of the frame is controlled by the lengths of the sets; and means including pins carried by said strips, on which a curtain to be stretched may be impaled.

6. In a curtain stretcher frame having extensible top, bottom and side members each comprising a plurality of bars slidably connected with each other, the improvement which comprises: sets of elongate sheet-metal spacer strips carried respectively by the frame members, said strips in each set being in end-to-end abutting relation; means on said bars of each frame member for engaging the ends of the set carried by the member to limit shortening of said member whereby the compressed size of the frame is controlled by the lengths of the sets; and means including pins carried by said strips, on which a curtain to be stretched may be impaled, said pins being integral with the strips and projecting from longitudinal edges thereof.

7. In a curtain stretcher frame having extensible top, bottom and side members each comprising a plurality of bars slidably connected with each other, the improvement which comprises: sets of elongate spacer strips carried respectively by the frame members, said strips in each set being in end-to-end abutting relation; resilient clips secured to said spacer strips, for removably mounting the same on the frame members; means on said bars of each frame member for engaging the ends of the set carried by the member to limit shortening of said member whereby the compressed size of the frame is controlled by the lengths of the sets; and means lincluding pins carried by said strips, on which a curtain to be stretched may be impaled.

LEONARD MINER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 905,47 '7 Stolp Dec. 1, 1908 1,073,341 Gleaves Sept. 16. 1913 1,301,430 Grater Apr. 22, 1919 2,228,645 Schmitz Jan. 14; 1941 2,455,640 Ashbaugh 1 Dec. '7, 1948 

